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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to want to punch these inconsiderate bastards in the head?

11 replies

NotGeoffVader · 25/07/2012 13:06

Actually would welcome some info/input on how to word a polite email to address the issue.

My dad died a few months ago. I don't live near his house, and neither does my sister. When we have been able to, we have gone there and made a start on clearing out our possessions, sorting stuff to go to charity and generally getting the small stuff out so we can clear it of furniture and put it on the market.
The house is not in great condition.
The top part of the house was owned by my dad. The hallway is shared access. The bottom part of the house is owned by a couple who seem to work from home. They were not particularly nice or helpful to my dad when he was there.

The hallway has been cluttered with their crap for ages - think large boxes of deliveries from catalogues, post, junk mail, boxes with video tapes, etc...
On my second trip up to London ( a few months ago) I knocked and politely asked the neighbours if they could please clear the hallway as we would need to be moving things out of the property.
When I went back up there three weeks ago, the hallway was empty, save for an old bedside table which Dad had left there to hold some of the post/boxes/crap.
I removed a lot of bits that day, and took away the table, so that the hallway was clear.

Two weeks ago I went back to do some more sorting and found a very large box in the hallway, full of tins of catfood, various bits of post and so forth.
I knocked on their door, but got no answer (Was actually knocking about something other than the box), so assumed they were avoiding me as I could hear movement.

Yesterday I went up to do some more clearing (got to get some legal papers out, etc), and found the hallway full of bags of clothes - presumably for collection by charity as they were in branded bags.
I had to step over these bags to get into Dads part of the house.
Later on, I heard movement downstairs, so assumed that they were in, had heard me moving about and were clearing a pathway.
Later their doorbell went but they didn't answer it.
I didn't hear any more movement so carried on with what I was doing - sorting, clearing, cleaning, bagging up rubbish.

When I left at around 6pm, the bags were still in the hallway - one had fallen over directly in front of the door. There was also a very large parcel obstructing the front door.

The man of the couple is a complete tosser and pothead. He wears a hat all the time (even indoors) and seems only capable of saying 'yeah'. The woman is a harpie.

I do not want to get into a row. I just want them to show some fucking consideration.

Sorry for long post. Any advice on how to address the situation (I do have a telephone number and an email address) are very welcome. My concern is that when we come to sell, nobody will be interested because they can't get in!

OP posts:
Salmotrutta · 25/07/2012 13:21

They sound like prize eejits tbh.

Do they not think about fire hazards etc?

How about:

"Dear Eejits,
We are in the process of clearing Dad's house in preparation for selling. As I'm sure you will understand that this involves moving large items out through the hallway.
In order to expedite this process, and cause the least disruption to you both, it would be very helpful if you could move any packages etc. from the communal hallway. It would be most unfortunate if any of your possessions were damaged during the process.
My sister and I will endeavour to clear the house with minimum inconvenience to you.
Thank you for your understanding in this matter.

Yours sincerely,

NotGeoff."

Then if they didn't move their stuff I'd just barge past it and possibly kick it.

PomBearWithAnOFRS · 25/07/2012 13:26

Or how about what salmo said but include something like "if any of your possessions were inadvertently damaged, or taken to the tip or charity shop by accident"

Salmotrutta · 25/07/2012 13:29

Oh yes, good addition Pom - it would be awful if you accidentally threw out some of their crap stuff. Wouldn't it? Grin

LurcioLovesFrankie · 25/07/2012 13:33

Who manages the flat/ owns the freehold? I had this problem with the downstairs neighbours in an ex-council flat I owned. Fortunately, the council still managed the block, so I was able to complain to them and get it sorted out. It's a fire hazard, so if there is a management company, they should get it sorted pretty quickly.

Hopeforever · 25/07/2012 13:36

Did your Dad own the flat rather than rent? If so, I think you need to get this done correctly right from the start and would contact a solicitor. It is going to be very difficult to sell otherwise.

If its rented then talk to the Landlord

I am sorry to hear you are going through this after your Fathers death

Hopeforever · 25/07/2012 13:37

Duh, just reread your post, I'd get straight onto a solicitor

Sallyingforth · 25/07/2012 14:22

As Lurcio said, it's a fire safety matter. The buildings insurance always requires that landings, hallways etc are kept clear, and that will be specified in the lease/rental agreement regardless of whether it's a council or private landlord.

LRDtheFeministDragon · 25/07/2012 14:28

I'm so sorry for your loss. This must be the last thing you need right now - they sound really unpleasant to make it harder for you!

I would not throw their things away in case they get nasty, but it does seem like a legal issue. Sounds like maybe they need reminding that the hallway isn't their private dumping ground!

NotGeoffVader · 25/07/2012 14:44

Thanks all - I will try the polite email approach first. I really need to make sure I can get organised with a skip (costly), which also requires a permit (the area is resident parking only so I have to public transport it up there). I'm unwaged as a recently-graduated student (sob story on hold).

The property was owned by Dad, but the freehold is managed by an agent. I am loth to get solicitors involved if I don't have to, especially as it costs ££ that I don't really have.

I have been told that a shop nearby will buy unwanted furniture so if I can sort out a day that I can get to the property and have them come and view stuff, they might be able to take some away. If I can fix a date, then I can make that clear in the email.

Funnily enough on my way home I was thinking that it was a fire hazard.Angry

OP posts:
LRDtheFeministDragon · 25/07/2012 14:45

Best of luck! I hope the agent can help you.

NotGeoffVader · 26/07/2012 14:04

I've gone with this:

Dear Harpie & Stoner,

As you know, I'm in the process of clearing Dad's house in preparation for selling. (I had a bit of a clear-out on Tuesday, when I was able to drop in, and I saw that you'd been doing the same, with all your bags for charity.)
In order for me to speed up the 'clearing' process, I will be moving items out through the hallway, each time we are at the house, and am aiming to get some furniture moved shortly.
To ensure I cause the least disruption to you both, it would be very helpful if you could move any packages etc. from the communal hallway, as it would be most unfortunate if any of your possessions were damaged during the process.
Needless to say, we will endeavour to clear the house with minimum inconvenience to you.

I also wanted to let you know that I cannot unlock the garden gate; the lock is rusted shut from the ouside. If, when I visit next (will email you to let you know, as I have to see about getting someone in to value/move furniture), you're in, I wonder if there is any way I can climb over your back fence to try to open the gate from the inside, as I am well aware that the overgrown garden is unsightly and must be taking over yours!

Many thanks for your understanding in this matter.

NotGeoffVader

If that doesn't work, I'll be on to the freehold agent.
(Not going to be able to get there next week, but I'm not telling them that)

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